Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Picks – Pitching

If you play season-long, daily, or weekly fantasy baseball, you know how important sleeper picks are. Here are some top choices for sleeper picks that can help you in a variety of fantasy baseball leagues, including weekly fantasy baseball.

Starters

Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle Mariners

After four starts, Iwakuma had a 1.69 ERA, 0.53 WHIP and 18 strikeouts with two walks in 26 2/3 IP. In his first season in MLB after coming over from Japan, Iwakuma had a 3.16 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, but his numbers improved after he moved from the bullpen to the rotation in July. As a starter, Iwakuma was 8-4 with a 2.65 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. For the season, Iwakuma had a 2.49 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in Seattle vs. a 4.20 ERA and 1.42 WHIP on the road.

Get two more sleeper starters and two more sleeper relievers AFTER the jump…

Shelby Miller, St. Louis Cardinals

After a strong showing in his MLB debut late last season, Miller was named the Cardinals’ fifth starter this spring. In his first three starts, Miller had a 1.96 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and struck out 18 in 18 1/3 IP. In 78 starts in the minors, Miller had a K/9 of 11/1. He was the 19th overall pick in the 2009 amateur draft.

Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves

After a great spring, Teheran, now 22, appeared ready to fulfill the promise he showed when he went 15-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 2011 while in 2011 before regressing in 2012 when his ERA soared to 5.08. But after making the Braves rotation, Teheran struggled. In his first three starts, he had a 7.31 ERA.

Relievers

Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals

With closer Greg Holland struggling early, Herrera got a chance to pick up a save on April 7. In his next appearance, he earned a save on April 10. By mid-April, Holland was doing better, but if he runs into more trouble, Herrera, who had 12 K in his first 7 IP, would appear to be next in line to close.

Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals closer Jason Motte may be headed for Tommy John surgery. Interim closer Mitchell Boggs has struggled, so the Cardinals may be turning to journeyman Edward Mujica. While Rosenthal has also struggled early, he could still be next in line after Mujica. Rosenthal looked good in limited action during the 2012 season, then dazzled during the postseason, fanning 15 in 8 2/3 IP and allowing no runs, two hits and two walks.

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